Means for arranging data

ABSTRACT

Means for arranging data by separating a data sheet along perforated lines into segments and securing said segments to a backing sheet in any desired arrangement. In one embodiment the data segments are provided with slits adapted to engage successive spaced tabs cut out along a fold line on the backing sheet. In a second embodiment the data sheet is provided with cut-out tabs which extend outwardly when the sheet is folded along a perforated fold line coterminous with the tab base. The tabs are inserted into slits cut out in the backing sheet.

United States Patent 1191 Cohen Aug. 13, 1974 MEANS FOR ARRANGING DATA [76] Inventor: Arthur M. Cohen, 2775 E. 12th St.,

No. 205, Brooklyn, NY. 11235 [22] Filed: May 8, I972 [21] Appl. No.: 251,526

Related us. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 12,058, Feb. 17, 1970,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 40/19.5, 40/20, 40/l04.13 [51] Int. Cl. G091 3/18 [58] Field of Search 40/63, 78, 78.11, 104.06,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 856,689 6/1907 Fehrenbach 281/38 1,048,056 12/1912 Fisher 40/104.I 1,548,487 8/1925 Ross 40/124.4 1,741,150 12/1929 Dawson 40/l04.07

1,867,471 7/1932 Power 40/104.1 1,978,381 10/1934 Hutchings 40/104. 12 2,106,856 2/1938 Rorem 40/104.12

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 789,395 4/1935 France 40/I04.I2 977,148 11/1950 France 281/5 Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerA. Heinz [5 7] ABSTRACT Means for arranging data by separating a data sheet along perforated lines into segments and securing said segments to a backing sheet in any desired arrangement. In one embodiment the data segments are provided with slits adapted to engage successive spaced tabs cut out along a fold line on the backing sheet. In a second embodiment the data sheet is provided with cut-out tabs which extend outwardly when the sheet is folded along a perforated fold line coterminous with the tab base. The tabs are inserted into slits cut out in the backing sheet.

4 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures WM 0a j/M/ 7 Pmmmmm 3 w 3.828.453

sum 1 or 2 COMPANY sTREET 40 c/rv k INVENTOR 427/9102 M. (ah 6A1 ATTORNEY meminwm v maze-.453

SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG. mztf'iisw ATTORNEY MEANS FOR ARRANGING DATA This is a division of application Ser. No. 12,058 filed Feb. 17, 1970, now abandoned, entitled Means For Arranging Date.

The present invention relates to bookkeeping and more particularly to a novel method and means for arranging data.

Modern business methods require continual analysis of a tremendous volume of business data at the cost of considerable time and money. For large businesses the time involved is somewhat reduced by the use of high speed automatic data processing apparatus. However, most small businesses cannot justify the extremely high cost of such machinery.

A common problem encountered in many small businesses is the unavailability of certain business data arranged so as to be conducive to a particular type of analysis. Thus, an owner of a manufacturing business may want to analyze this manpower requirements first with regard to a particular job or a particular step in the manufacturing process and second with regard to the work done by individual employees or groups of employees. Normally, all of this data will appear on one type of data sheet, (i.e., a job sheet) arranged for analysis from one aspect only (i.e., manpower expended on a particular job as reflected by time-in and time-out designations of individual employees). If the data is to be analyzed from another viewpoint (i.e., time expended by an individual employee over a given period) someone must pick out the pertinent data and recopy it onto a second data sheet in the desired arrangement. Not only is this process time-consuming but it also admits of errors in recopying such data.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to devise a means for rearranging business data in any desired fashion without the necessity of recopying such data from the sheet on which it is originally arranged.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a data sheet which is specifically adapted to be separated into selected data segments which may be readily rearranged in permanent or semi-permanent form.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a backing sheet designed for permanently or semi-permanently mounting individual data sheet segments thereon in any desired arrangement.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to accomplish the above 'by a simple method utilizing sheets which may be inexpensively mass produced.

To the accomplishment of the above, a data sheet is provided with perforated cut lines separating the sheet into individual data information segments. Extending inwardly from the perforated edges of individual segments are slits. A backing sheet having spaced cut-out tabs is adapted to receive individual data segments by sliding such segments onto the backing sheet tabs until the tabs are inserted into the slits. In a second embodiment the data segments are provided-with tabs which may be inserted into appropriately spaced slits on a backing sheet by folding the data segment along a fold line coterminous with the base of said tab. The slits and the tabs are so arranged and interrelated that the individual segments are reliably held in display position on the backing sheet.

To the accomplishment of the above and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to an apparatus for arranging business data as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specification taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a primary data sheet showing a fragment of an underlying carbon copy in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a carbon copy of the data sheet of FIG. 1 designed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a carbon copy of the data sheet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one embodiment of a backing sheet designed in accordance with the present invention with a data segment from the data sheet of FIG. 2 mounted thereon.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded view illustrating the method of mounting a data segment from the data sheet of FIG. 2 on the backing sheet of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modified form of the backing sheet of FIG. 4 showing a data segment from the data sheet of FIG. 2 mounted thereon.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the backing sheet of this invention showing a data segment from the data sheet of FIG. 3 mounted thereon.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged exploded view illustrating the method of mounting a data segment from the data sheet of FIG. 3 onto the backing sheet of FIG. 9 in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 11-11 of FIG. 9.

The present invention is designed for use with any type of business data sheet on which individual segments of data are listed. For illustrative purposes only, FIG. 1 shows a typical job sheet 10 on which there are spaces for listing the time spent by each employee on the particular job in the form of a punched time designation together with the labor charge for such time. As is usual, a duplicate of the data in the form of an identically printed carbon copy 12 is disposed directly underneath the original 10 with carbon material 14 therebetween.

Carbon material 14 may be provided in various ways, as by sliding a piece of carbon paper in position, or carbonizing the back of the original 10, or conveniently, as here illustrated, by providing a so-called snap-out form. For this purpose, the sheets 10 and 12 and the carbon paper 14 are all cemented together along the top edge 18 and the sheet is greatly weakened along a horizontal line spaced from top edge 18 by perforations 20 leaving only a little connecting material. The cemented portion may be held in one hand and the sheets snapped out with the other hand, leaving the cemented portion and the attached carbon sheet 14, to be discarded.

In accordance with the present invention, the data sheet 12 is provided with spaced and intersecting slits or perforations 22 along lines defining individual data segments 24 containing discrete bits of information. In the case illustrated in FIG. 2, each data segment 24 comprises a space 25 for a punched indication of timein and time-out for each employee or group of employees (there being space for three), each employee being numerically designated in the space 26, and a space 27 for the associated labor charge. (The primary sheet is provided with similar data spaces.) The sheet 12 is further provided with vertical slits 28 of length d (see FIG. 2), less than the width of the segments 24, spaced along a vertical line intersecting said segments 24, each slit intersecting at its midpoint a horizontal perforated line 22 separating adjacent data segments 24. Thus, a data sheet segment, once separated as at 30 comprises a rectangular sheet with slits 32, each of half the length d of slits 28, extending vertically inwardly from opposite edges 34 thereof leaving a width w of sheet material between opposing slits 32, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 shows a backing sheet 36 designed to permanently or semi-permanently receive sheet segments 24. Sheet 36 is provided with tabs 38 cutout and extending from a vertical line on sheet 36. Tabs 38 are preferably vertically spaced from one another by a distance w so that adjacent tabs 38 are adapted to be inserted and extend fully into opposing slits 32 in data segment 24, all as best shown in FIG. 4. In order to mount a sheet segment 24 on backing sheet 36, segment 24 may be slid along the surface of sheet 36 to the left (FIG. 4) until adjacent tabs 38 catch on slits 32 and the sides of slits 32 engage the base line 40 of said tabs 38. In a preferred embodiment, however, line 40 is perforated or weakened in the spaces between tabs 38 to define a fold line so as to facilitate the mounting of segments 24. As illustrated in FIG. 5, sheet 36 is folded along fold line 40 so that tabs 38 are pivoted out of the plane of that portion of sheet 36 from which they are cut. Segment 24 may then be readily hung on tabs 38 by insertion of tabs 38 into slits 32. Sheet 36 is then folded back to its original flat position with segment 24 mounted as illustrated in FIG. 4. The resulting structure is shown in cross-section in FIG. 6

In most instances this arrangement will be sufficient to firmly retain segment 24 on backing sheet 36. However, the quality and/or thickness of the paper may be such that segment 24 tends to slip to the right (as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 6) out of engagement with tabs 38, especially when the structure is subject to agitation. In order to prevent such slippage, tabs 38' may be disposed alternately on opposite sides of fold line 40 as illustrated in FIG. 7. To use this modified form of backing sheet 36' it is necessary to fold sheet 36' completely over on itself so that all tabs 38' extend out from fold line 40 in the same direction in a common plane, Segment 24 is then hung on adjacent tabs 38 in the same manner as previously described. When sheet 36' (FIG. 7) is unfolded into its original configuration segment 24 is firmly retained on sheet 36' by oppositely extending tabs 38'. As best shown in cross-section in FIG. 8, lateral movement of the segment 24 in both directions is thus positively prevented. The tabs 38 and 38' in FIGS. 4 and 7 respectively must be at least of width d in order to accommodate slits 32 in adjacent segments 24.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 9-11. The data sheet 12 is again perforated along lines 22 defining individual data segments generally designated 42. Each segment is provided with a hook-like tab 44 having a portion of its base notched as at 46 (FIG. 10). The bases of tabs 44 are aligned along a vertical perforated fold line 48 extending through the central portion of segments 42. A

backing sheet 49 is provided with spaced vertical slits 50 disposed along a vertical line 52, which by virtue of said spaced slits or otherwise, defines a fold line. The tabs 44 are adapted to be received by and hooked into slits 50. The most convenient mode of assembly is illustrated in FIG. 10. Segment 42 is folded along fold line 48 with the side containing the data on the inside such that tab 44 is pivoted out of the plane of the sheet portion from which it was cut. Backing sheet 49 is similarly folded along fold line 52 which has the effect of slightly opening slit 50. Slit 50 is preferably ofa length adapted to snugly accommodate the tab material above notch 46. Accordingly, the lower portion of tab 44 is inserted into slit 50 and hooked thereon by rotating the segment counterclockwise so that the notched portion 46 of tab 44 is holdingly engaged by the body of sheet 49 directly below slit 50. Both sheets are then unfolded and segment 42 is retained contiguously on backing sheet 49 in the manner illustrated by FIGS. 9 and 11. The slits 50 in backing sheet 49 are, of course, spaced so as to accommodate successive segments 42 in contiguous relationship.

While segments 42 are firmly attached to backingv sheet 49, there may be a tendency for the segment to pivot around its point of attachment. To rigidify the structure, both segment 42 and sheet 49 may be slightly permanently folded on their respective fold lines 48 and 52, which are aligned (FIG. 11), while their surfaces remain contiguous to one another. This may be accomplished by lightly pinching both sheets together along their respective fold lines.

Both embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient method of rearranging business data contained on a data sheet. Selected segments may be separated representing data on individual employees or groups of employees and arranged in any desired fashion on a number of backing sheets.

In this manner a business executive is able to view at a glance basic business data juxtaposed so as to facilitate rapid analysis of the particular problem with which he is concerned. The same segments may then be rearranged on the same or a different backing sheet or an identical carbon copy may be separated and arranged on another backing sheet. Only that data pertinent to the particular type of analysis desired need be mounted so as to eliminate the necessity of visually sifting out the irrelevant information. The backing sheet may be large enough to contain a continuing record of data selected from periodic reports, eliminating the necessity of digging out and flipping through several periodic data sheets. Thus, an up-to-date breakdown of labor costs, employee time, material costs, and a variety of other business data may be viewed at a glance for a particular job, type of job, or step in the manufacturing process. Accuracy of the data is insured by eliminating the copying of such data from sheet to sheet.

Any number of carbon copies of the original data sheet may be designed in accordance with present invention to provide as many different arrangements as desired, the original being retained intact. The backing sheet may be of a relatively permanent nature, such as a cardboard sheet which may be hung on a wall. In the event a permanent record of the data as rearranged is desired, a copy may be produced by inserting the assembled backing sheet and segment into a conventional copying machine.

While only two embodiments of the present invention have been herein specifically disclosed, it will be apparent that many variations may be made in the detailed description thereof, all within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims:

I claim:

1. In combination, a backing sheet comprising a body, a plurality of tabs with notched bases cut out from said body and spaced along a substantially straight line defined at least in part by the base of each such tab, adjacent tabs extending in opposite directions from said substantially straight line; and a data sheet adapted to be separated and arranged on said backing sheet, said data sheet comprising a body having a plurality of discrete bits of data arranged thereon, perforations in said body along lines facilitating the separation of said data sheet into a plurality of segments, each segment containing a discrete-bit of data and having a pair of slits extending inwardly from opposite sides thereof adapted to receive successive tabs on said backing sheet, whereby said sheet segments may be mounted on said backing sheet in any desired arrangements.

2. In combination, a backing sheet comprising a body, a plurality of tabs with notched bases cut out from said body and spaced along a substantially straight line defined at least in part by the base of each such tab, a fold line formed coterminous with said substantially straight line; and a data sheet adapted to be separated and arranged on said backing sheet, said data sheet comprising a body having a plurality of discrete bits of data arranged thereon, perforations in said body along lines facilitating the separation of said data sheet into a plurality of segments, each segment containing a discrete bit of data and having a pair of slits extending inwardly from opposite sides thereof adapted to receive successive tabs on said backing sheet, whereby said sheet segments may be mounted on said backing sheet in any desired arrangements.

3. In combination, a backing sheet comprising a body I and a substantially straight fold line on said backing sheet body having slits spaced therealong; and a data sheet adapted to be separated and arranged on said backing sheet, said data sheet comprising a data sheet body having a plurality of discrete bits of data arranged thereon, means for separating said data sheet body into segments each containing a bit of data and at least one tab cut out therefrom and adapted to be holdingly received in one of said slits in said backing sheet when said backing sheet is folded along said backing sheet fold line, and a substantially straight fold line on said data sheet in the spaces between said tabs, said tabs being spaced along said data sheet fold line, whereby the portion of said data sheet on the side of said data sheet fold line containing said tabs may be folded out of the plane of said tabs, said tabs may be inserted in said slits on said backing sheet, and said data sheet and backing sheet may be folded together to holdingly mount said sheet segments on said backing sheet.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said at least one tab has a base with a notch parallel to said data sheet fold line. 

1. In combination, a backing sheet comprising a body, a plurality of tabs with notched bases cut out from said body and spaced along a substantially straight line defined at least in part by the base of each such tab, adjacent tabs extending in opposite directions from said substantially straight line; and a data sheet adapted to be separated and arranged on said backing sheet, said data sheet comprising a body having a plurality of discrete bits of data arranged thereon, perforations in said body along lines facilitating the separation of said data sheet into a plurality of segments, each segment containing a discrete bit of data and having a pair of Slits extending inwardly from opposite sides thereof adapted to receive successive tabs on said backing sheet, whereby said sheet segments may be mounted on said backing sheet in any desired arrangements.
 2. In combination, a backing sheet comprising a body, a plurality of tabs with notched bases cut out from said body and spaced along a substantially straight line defined at least in part by the base of each such tab, a fold line formed coterminous with said substantially straight line; and a data sheet adapted to be separated and arranged on said backing sheet, said data sheet comprising a body having a plurality of discrete bits of data arranged thereon, perforations in said body along lines facilitating the separation of said data sheet into a plurality of segments, each segment containing a discrete bit of data and having a pair of slits extending inwardly from opposite sides thereof adapted to receive successive tabs on said backing sheet, whereby said sheet segments may be mounted on said backing sheet in any desired arrangements.
 3. In combination, a backing sheet comprising a body and a substantially straight fold line on said backing sheet body having slits spaced therealong; and a data sheet adapted to be separated and arranged on said backing sheet, said data sheet comprising a data sheet body having a plurality of discrete bits of data arranged thereon, means for separating said data sheet body into segments each containing a bit of data and at least one tab cut out therefrom and adapted to be holdingly received in one of said slits in said backing sheet when said backing sheet is folded along said backing sheet fold line, and a substantially straight fold line on said data sheet in the spaces between said tabs, said tabs being spaced along said data sheet fold line, whereby the portion of said data sheet on the side of said data sheet fold line containing said tabs may be folded out of the plane of said tabs, said tabs may be inserted in said slits on said backing sheet, and said data sheet and backing sheet may be folded together to holdingly mount said sheet segments on said backing sheet.
 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said at least one tab has a base with a notch parallel to said data sheet fold line. 